Glaucoma biomarker

Abstract

According the present invention, Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the tears or blood is used as a biomarker for early detection and assessing the progression of POAG. A reduced level of BDNF compared to normal range can be the sign of POAG. Lower levels of BDNF represent more advanced cases of POAG. The invention includes both the method and the analytic kit for performing the method.

1 . A method using Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the tears or blood as a biomarker for detection, screening or assessing the progression of glaucoma, the level of BDNF in blood or tears is measured and compared to the normal range, a reduced level of BDNF compared to the normal range indicates the possible presence of glaucoma, lower levels of BDNF represent more advanced cases of glaucoma. 
   
   
       2 . An analytic assay or kit for measuring the level of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the tears or blood for detection, screening or assessing the progression of glaucoma, the measured level of BDNF in the tears or blood is compared to the normal range, a reduced level of BDNF compared to the normal range indicates the possible presence of glaucoma, lower levels of BDNF represent more advanced cases of glaucoma. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 2  wherein the analytic assay or kit is ELYSA or ELA.